Hǔ Qián Wán (虎潜丸) — Hidden Tiger Pill
Information only — not used or prescribed at this clinic. This page documents a traditional Chinese herbal formula that contains one or more animal-derived ingredients, for reference and education. I do not use or prescribe any animal products. Every formula I prescribe is built entirely from plant and mineral herbs.
This substance comes from an endangered or protected species and cannot be legally prescribed in the UK. The Register of Chinese Herbal Medicine (RCHM) prohibits the use of any endangered species, and trade is restricted under CITES.
Plant and mineral alternatives I use instead include plant tendon-and-bone herbs such as Gou Ji, Xu Duan, Du Zhong, Shu Di Huang and Huai Niu Xi.
On this page
- Overview
- Ingredients
- Traditional actions and indications
- Plant-based alternatives
- Why it is not prescribed
1. Overview
Hǔ Qián Wán (虎潜丸) — Hidden Tiger Pill — is a traditional formula of the Chinese Materia Medica that contains one or more animal-derived ingredients. It is described here for information and reference only. I do not use or prescribe Hǔ Qián Wán or any formula containing animal products; where a comparable effect is needed I prescribe a plant-based formula matched to the patient's TCM pattern.
2. Ingredients
Traditional ingredients include:
- Hu Gu (tiger bone) (animal product)
- Gui Ban (tortoise plastron) (animal product)
- Shu Di Huang, Zhi Mu, Huang Bai, Bai Shao, Suo Yang, Chen Pi (plants)
3. Traditional actions and indications
Traditional actions
- Nourishes Yin and downbears fire
- Strengthens the sinews and bones
Traditional indications
- Weak, wasted legs and sinews from Liver-Kidney Yin deficiency (atrophy disorder)
4. Plant-based alternatives
In my practice I use plant-based formulas in place of Hǔ Qián Wán. Depending on the TCM pattern, suitable alternatives include plant tendon-and-bone herbs such as Gou Ji, Xu Duan, Du Zhong, Shu Di Huang and Huai Niu Xi. Read more about Chinese herbal medicine or book an online herbal consultation.
5. Why it is not prescribed
Hǔ Qián Wán contains ingredients from endangered or protected species. It cannot be legally prescribed in the UK, and such ingredients are restricted internationally under CITES and prohibited by the Register of Chinese Herbal Medicine (RCHM). All Chinese herbs and formulas should be prescribed by a fully qualified herbalist registered with the Register of Chinese Herbal Medicine (RCHM), which prohibits the use of endangered species. Dr (TCM) Attilio D'Alberto is a member of the RCHM and the British Acupuncture Council and does not use animal products of any kind.
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